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Comfortable Pence excels against Phillies

5/6/13: Hunter Pence takes Cliff Lee deep to left with a solo home run in the bottom of the second to put the Giants on the board

By Todd Zolecki
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MLB.com |

SAN FRANCISCO -- Giants right fielder Hunter Pence had a good game Monday against the Phillies, but the Phillies still won, 6-2.

The Phillies acquired Pence in July 2011 to help them win the World Series, but they fell short. They traded him to San Francisco last July as their season fell apart.

Pence, who struggled last season with the Phillies, helped the Giants win the World Series.

"If I recall, when we got him, I put him fifth," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "But when we had injuries last year, we asked him and [Shane] Victorino and some other players to step up and become those cornerstone guys, the big guys in our lineup to knock in some runs. [Pence] maybe tried a little bit too hard. Maybe he feels very comfortable [here]. When we first got him, he was comfortable with us. Now when I watch him play, he feels comfortable. I've always liked Pence and what he gives you. He comes to the ballpark, he works just as hard as anybody. He hustles. He plays hard. You can't help but like him."

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.